Pushkar is a holy town in the state of Rajasthan famous for the Pushkar lake, various ghats and temples spread all around the lake.

Pushkar is a holy town in the state of Rajasthan famous for the Pushkar lake, various ghats and temples spread all around the lake.

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The word 'Pushkar' means lotus flower, which is said to be the seat of Brahma, one of the Hindu holy trinity, who is worshipped as the creator of this world. The legend has it that the demon Vajra Nabha killed Brahma's children, he in turn struck him with his weapon, a lotus flower. Vajra Nabha died with the impact, and the petals of the lotus fell at three places. One of them is Pushkar, where it gave birth to a lake. Brahma is supposed to have performed sacrifice at this lake on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day of the Kartik month (generally in the month of November)), hallowing the place.

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The word 'Pushkar' means lotus flower, which is said to be the seat of Brahma, one of the Hindu holy trinity, who is worshipped as the creator of this world. The legend has it that the demon Vajra Nabha killed Brahma's children, he in turn struck him with his weapon, a lotus flower. Vajra Nabha died with the impact, and the petals of the lotus fell at three places. One of them is Pushkar, where it gave birth to a lake.[http://www.aboutomkaar.com/2013/01/teerthraj-tirthraj-pushkar.html Pushkar Lake] Brahma is supposed to have performed sacrifice at this lake on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day of the Kartik month (generally in the month of November)), hallowing the place.

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Though Brahma is considered to be the creator of the world, Pushkar is the only temple of this important deity in the whole world. This is also considered as Adi Teerth or Teertharaj meaning ancient holy place or the most important of holy places respectively.

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Though Brahma is considered to be the creator of the world, Pushkar is the only temple of this important deity in the whole world. This is also considered as Adi Teerth or Teertharaj meaning ancient holy place or the most important of holy places respectively.[http://www.aboutomkaar.com/2013/01/pushkar-lord-brahma-temple.html Brahma Temple]

Nowadays the atmospheric mood of Pushkar has been largely ruined by tourism, and it's widely available marijuana. While it's certainly a great place to meet people and chill out, a cultural experience it is not. You are constantly harrassed by phoney priests for money in exchange for blessings at the Holy Lake, who can get aggressive and pushy when you decline. Lots of ultra-violet glowing merchandise available for purchase, bhang lassis, and stalls pumping out loud sci-trance. Locals less friendly than in other parts of India, presumably because they resent tourists ruining their town.

Nowadays the atmospheric mood of Pushkar has been largely ruined by tourism, and it's widely available marijuana. While it's certainly a great place to meet people and chill out, a cultural experience it is not. You are constantly harrassed by phoney priests for money in exchange for blessings at the Holy Lake, who can get aggressive and pushy when you decline. Lots of ultra-violet glowing merchandise available for purchase, bhang lassis, and stalls pumping out loud sci-trance. Locals less friendly than in other parts of India, presumably because they resent tourists ruining their town.

Revision as of 12:17, 29 March 2013

Pushkar is a holy city in Rajasthan, India famous for its Brahma temple, lake, ghats, and bazaar.

Contents

Understand

Pushkar is a holy town in the state of Rajasthan famous for the Pushkar lake, various ghats and temples spread all around the lake.

The word 'Pushkar' means lotus flower, which is said to be the seat of Brahma, one of the Hindu holy trinity, who is worshipped as the creator of this world. The legend has it that the demon Vajra Nabha killed Brahma's children, he in turn struck him with his weapon, a lotus flower. Vajra Nabha died with the impact, and the petals of the lotus fell at three places. One of them is Pushkar, where it gave birth to a lake.Pushkar Lake Brahma is supposed to have performed sacrifice at this lake on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day of the Kartik month (generally in the month of November)), hallowing the place.

Though Brahma is considered to be the creator of the world, Pushkar is the only temple of this important deity in the whole world. This is also considered as Adi Teerth or Teertharaj meaning ancient holy place or the most important of holy places respectively.Brahma Temple

Nowadays the atmospheric mood of Pushkar has been largely ruined by tourism, and it's widely available marijuana. While it's certainly a great place to meet people and chill out, a cultural experience it is not. You are constantly harrassed by phoney priests for money in exchange for blessings at the Holy Lake, who can get aggressive and pushy when you decline. Lots of ultra-violet glowing merchandise available for purchase, bhang lassis, and stalls pumping out loud sci-trance. Locals less friendly than in other parts of India, presumably because they resent tourists ruining their town.

Get in

By plane

Pushkar is but a small town and hence has no airport. The nearest airport is in Jaipur. Jaipur is well connected to major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata by air.

By bus

Take a taxi or rickshaw from Ajmer. Frequent buses are available from Ajmer main bus station (rs 8/-)

By train

From Delhi, regular trains are available till Ajmer. There are direct trains from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Bhopal, Ernakulam and Bangalore to Ajmer.

By Taxi

Various tour operators and travel agencies offer chauffeured car-taxi services; these are charged on a per km, per day basis. You can plan to take one to arrive into the city or take one for sightseeing in and around the city.

Get around

Most of the sights center around the lakefront which can be seen on foot.

To go further a field you can hire a bike (push/motor) and take in the surrounding beautiful countryside and hidden temples.

See

Bramha temple - One of the very few temples for Lord Bramha in the world.

Rangji temple - This is a Vishnu temple built in south Indian style.

Chamunda temple - This is one of the 51 Shakti peeths. It is also known as Manibandh.

Pap Mochini temple

Panchkund Shiva temple - It is around 2-3 kms from the pushkar lake. The shiva temple is said to have been built by Pancha pandavas.

Savitri temple - It is located on top of a hill near the lake. This temple is dedicated to the goddess savitri, wife of Hindu god Brahma. This temple is the second most religious temple in Pushkar.

Pushkar Lake- Pushkar Lake is a beautiful, sanctified spot to visit in Pushkar. This lake is considered to be very old and of the time when the earth was created. This lake is a place of pilgrimage for the Hindus. Lake is surrounded by 52 different ghats to take bath, where Hindus and other tourists come to take a dip in the month of karthik.

Man Mahal-

Gurudwara Singh Sabha-

Shri Vaikunthnathji-

Pushkar Fair: [1] Every year thousands of domestic and international tourists come to be a part of this amazing Pushkar Fair. This fair is organized in 20 Nov To 28 Nov 2012 . Tourists come to take a holy dip in the pushkar lake at the time of karthik purnima, which is basically a full moon day. Pushkar fair is also famous as colourful and huge cattle fair. Pushkar is well known for it’s camel safari and other adventures activities.

Do

Enjoy rooftop candle dinners at the restaurant of the guest house.

The small market of Pushkar is good for buying clothes of interesting designs and patterns at very cheap price of €2 to €3.

Visit Savitri temple on small hill which is about one hour climb but view of lake from top is wonderful.

If you find water clean take a holy dip in the pond.

You can perform worship of pond through priest but fix up a price beforehand lest he hassles for it.

In the evening there is prayer at Varah Ghat with huge lamps and chimes of bell. Attend it, it is mesmerizing.

Bhaang (cannabis) is local herb sold on authorized shops of government. You may try bhang lassi.

Try mint tea. It has exotic taste.

Take a round of holy pond known as parikarma.

Safaris

Go for a Pushkar camel safari in nearby villages. Pushkar is famous for camel safaris. Tourists can visit small villages for five days camel safari,Rural Village tours, Local Culture, crop harvesting during their camel safari ride. The view can be exceptionally enticing. Camel safaris in Pushkar are always a memorable experience for tourists. However,

Pushkar Camel Safari Tours, Vinayak Nagar-c, Near Pentrol Pump, ☎09828178063, [2]. 02 hrs. Pushkar Camel Safari Tours offers two types of safaris,a “ Sunset/ Sunrise” for those visitors who only have a few hours to spare and an “ Overnight safari” for those who wish to explore the surrounding areas a little more in depth. Rs.400.

Buy

This place is heaven for shoppers. filled with many items like jewelry, cloths, showpieces, books, bags, handicraft,shoes
YOU will have to carry extra bag because the market fascinates u and pulls u to buys beautiful things

vikas handicrafts, opposite rainbow rooftop restaurant (brahma temple road), ☎9413818781, [3]. it's a handicraft's store where you get the best deals in town on handmade paper notebooks photo albums,incense sticks and essential oils. Here you get the best quality with the "best price".

Sanskar Restaurant, end of main market street, opp. Vishnu Temple (next to Om Hotel and Sarovar Hotel). This low-key local food stall is serving delicious non-fatty thali including curd. Very friendly staff makes sure you really get filled up.Rs 50.

Shiva Buffet Restaurant, way of hotel pushkar palace roof top on hotel v.k., ☎09928773817. 16. roof top restaurant many things for eat only in 100rs morning 7.00am to 11.30am breakfast . after noon 12.00pm to 4.00pm lunch and in evening 4.30pm to 11.00pm night dinner. Clean and quiet restaurant.100rs.

Drink

Alcohol and non-vegetarian food are forbidden in Pushkar.

Sleep

Try to book room in a guest house, Luxury tent ,camel safari, having view of Holy Lake Pushkar. In Pushkar it is the lake that is most important religiously and mythologically. It will cost you something around €5 to €6 in tourist season.

Milkman, Mali Mohalla, ☎0145-2773452 or 09828355245 (vinodmilkman@hotmail.com). checkout: 10am. Undoubtedly Pushkar's best backpacker hang-out, Milkman is a cozy family run Guesthouse in a quiet area. It has an excellent restaurant and chill-out area with delicious meals that is great for meeting other travellers. There's also a grassy rooftop to relax on. Various sized rooms with and without attached bathrooms, and with and without air conditioning. Clean and with great decor. Internet facilities, and cable TV's available. For just 100 rupees cash-strapped guests can sleep in tents on the roof.from Rs.250. (26.49209,74.55472)

Aroma Hotel, Near Brahma Temple Pushkar (http://www.aroma-hotel.com/index.html), ☎Landline No. +91-145-2772729, [9]. Rooms are completely spotless, owners are very friendly, helpful and honest. Has a restaurant and grassy rooftop to chill out or practice yoga. Free internet.

Respect

The whole of town is considered to be sacred, so whatever rules generally apply to place of worship in India, apply to the whole of town.

Smoking in public is prohibited by law though the rule is never enforced enthusiastically.

Consumption of liquor or meat is not allowed in the city, therefore it is advised to respect the rule and not carry any liquor/ meat with you while travelling to Pushkar.

It is advised that the men wear full length pants and t-shirt/ shirt and women wear full length clothes. Do not wear off-shoulder tops or shorts while roaming within the city.

Take off your shoes at stairs if you are going near the lake.

Be polite, but do not be pressured into making any offering at the ghats. It is not mandatory.

Stay Safe

Scams

Scams are widespread in Pushkar, particularly around the lake. Most frequently, a "holy man" will sit with you and go through a blessing. They will then ask how much you would like to donate to their "charity". They ask for a donation per family member. They will push for 2,000-3,000 rupees per family member you would like to pray for, then 1,000 rupees. Often they will not accept less than 1,000 rupees.

Despite Pushkar's reputation as a holy town, you are best to avoid the people at the lake. Tour guides often work together with the scammers to intimidate you and frequently follow you around the town after you visit the lake to get more money.

To stay safe, avoid hiring a tour guide without prior recommendation from someone you trust. Never accept any blessings at the lake.

Female Tourists

If you want to hire local travel guide, do not go with him alone.

Find safe accommodation. If you are a solo female tourist, safety is more important than price.